David Tracey’s DNR Case Against Addenbrooke’s Hospital At High Court

A hospital’s resuscitation policy is under scrutiny in the High Court after a man alleged two “do not resuscitate” (DNR) orders were placed on the notes of his wife without her consent.

David Tracey made the allegation against Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust said a doctor did seek the consent of Janet Tracey, 63, who was a patient at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

The factual dispute hearing in London is expected to last 10 days.

Mrs Tracey, from Ware in Hertfordshire, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in February 2011.

She was later admitted to the Cambridge hospital after breaking her neck in a car accident.

‘Transparent policy’

Her family claim she discovered a DNR order had been placed on her file on 27 February and successfully asked for it to be removed, but a second order was added on 5 March.

They say it included the phrase: “The patient does not want to discuss resuscitation.”

Mrs Tracey died two days later on 7 March.

The family also allege notes were included saying three of her four daughters and her husband had agreed to the order, which they dispute.

They say she expressed a clear wish to be involved and for discussions to be held when her husband was with her, but say no such conversation took place.

Merry Varney, of law firm Leigh Day & Co, who represents the Tracey family, said: “This case underlines the importance of a transparent, accessible and consistent policy regarding a patient’s right to know when a decision not to resuscitate them is made, and to know how their views are taken into account and, where necessary, how to challenge a decision they disagree with.”

A full judicial hearing is scheduled for February.